Optical Design With Mirrors

Overview

• This short course provides insight into the optical design of un-obstructed, un-obscured, nonaxially symmetric reflective systems. The most conventional optical systems, such as camera lenses and Cassegrain telescopes, have an axis of symmetry and radial symmetry. Now high performance optical systems using tilted and decentered mirrors have proven their capabilities in many applications. We start by discussing the design of axially symmetric systems and reviewing aberration theory. We show how aberration theory can be extended from symmetric to non symmetric systems, and how aberration balancing is used to find different design forms. Three design examples are worked in detail to highlight the different design techniques. This three hours short course should greatly expand the insight of those interested in optical design.

Intended Audience

• This course is intended for those who want to become familiar with design techniques for unobscured reflective systems and to expand their horizon in optical design. A basic course in lens design is a prerequisite.

Learning Objectives

• Review the basics of wave aberration theory

• Appreciate the use of aberration theory

• Apply symmetry concepts in optical systems

• Learn design methods for un-obscured reflective

• Follow some concrete design examples

Course Outline

• Mirror virtues and problems

• Wave aberration theory

• Mirror system for large telescopes with spherical primaries

• Methods for designing eccentric, off-axis, and ring field systems

• Tilted component systems theory

• Plane symmetric systems theory

• Confocal systems theory

• Designing un-obscured telescopes

Contact:

Ms. Cindy Robertson

520-626-4719

cindyr@optics.arizona.edu

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